Updated- July 11 , 2025: Ben Askren, the former Olympic wrestler and MMA fighter, is currently recovering after undergoing a double lung transplant. He developed a severe pneumonia caused by a staph infection, which led to complete lung failure and required ventilator + ECMO support in late May to June. His heart stopped four times (each episode lasting around 20 seconds), and he lost about 50 pounds during a 45-day hospitalization. He received the transplant around June 24–30 and shared a public update on July 9. He has no memory from late May to early July and used his wife’s journal to piece together the events.
Former Olympic wrestler and UFC fighter Ben Askren recently underwent a life-saving double lung transplant after a harrowing battle with severe pneumonia that left him fighting for his life. The 40-year-old combat sports legend has been making headlines not for his fighting prowess, but for his incredible recovery story that has shocked the MMA community.
The Sudden Health Crisis
Askren had been in hospital with severe lung damage caused by a sudden bout of pneumonia during which he spent time on life support, according to his wife Amy. What started as a routine health issue quickly spiraled into a life-threatening emergency that required the most drastic medical intervention possible.
Askren, a 40-year-old father of three children, developed pneumonia following a staph infection. The infection caused such severe damage to his lungs that conventional treatments proved insufficient, leading doctors to place him on the lung transplant waiting list.
The Severity of His Condition
The extent of Askren’s health crisis became clear when he recently shared a video update from his hospital bed. In the video, Askren discusses his recovery as well as sharing some scary details, including losing roughly 50 pounds in 45 days, and that his heart stopped several times during his scary battle with severe pneumonia.
The former welterweight fighter revealed that he “died four times” during his hospitalization, highlighting just how close he came to losing his life. His dramatic weight loss and multiple cardiac arrests underscore the severity of the pneumonia that devastated his respiratory system.
The Transplant Process
Former Olympic wrestler and MMA star Ben Askren, who has been hospitalized in Wisconsin after a severe case of pneumonia, said in a post on social media Wednesday that he had undergone a double lung transplant and is in recovery. The transplant occurred after weeks of waiting for a suitable donor match.
Former UFC fighter and Bellator champion Ben Askren underwent a double lung transplant one week after being placed on the waiting list due to severe pneumonia that left him on a ventilator in critical condition. This remarkably fast turnaround for organ matching likely saved his life, as his condition was rapidly deteriorating.
Why the Transplant Was Necessary
Ben Askren needed a lung transplant because his pneumonia caused irreversible damage to his lung tissue. Severe pneumonia can lead to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), where the lungs become so inflamed and damaged that they cannot effectively exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide. In Askren’s case, the damage was so extensive that his lungs could no longer function adequately to sustain life.
The combination of the initial staph infection and subsequent pneumonia created a cascade of complications that destroyed healthy lung tissue. When conventional treatments like ventilators and ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) machines could no longer provide sufficient support, a double lung transplant became the only viable option for survival.
Current Recovery Status
Askren is currently recovering from his transplant surgery, with his wife Amy providing regular updates on social media. The MMA community has rallied around the former fighter, offering support and well-wishes during his recovery process.
His case serves as a sobering reminder of how quickly health situations can deteriorate, even for elite athletes. The fact that a world-class fighter like Askren could face such a severe health crisis highlights the unpredictable nature of serious infections and the importance of advanced medical interventions.
Looking Forward
While Askren faces a long road to recovery, his survival of this ordeal is testament to both medical advances in transplant surgery and his own fighting spirit. The transplant gives him a second chance at life, though he will require lifelong immunosuppressive medications and ongoing medical care.
Ben Askren’s lung transplant story is one of resilience, medical miracle, and the power of organ donation. His experience has brought attention to the critical importance of organ donors and the life-saving potential of transplant surgery.